Selfie-loving Apprentice candidate Jessica Cunningham used to work as a stripper charging just £5 per dance

She has said that those days are "very much a part of my past" when she worked in an upmarket lap-dancing club in Liverpool

By ELLIE CAMBRIDGE

2nd October 2016, 12:47 pm

Updated: 2nd October 2016, 12:51 pm

APPRENTICE hopeful Jessica Cunningham was once a stripper who pocketed £300-a-night before turning her hand to business and setting up her own fashion house.

She has said that those days are "very much a part of my past" when she worked in an upmarket lap-dancing club in Liverpool.

PA:Press Association

Jessica Cunningham is the owner of an online fashion store and an Apprentice hopeful

Twitter

Jess owns her own online clothing company and used to work in a strip club

The 29-year-old, who loves a selfie, was an exotic dancer at X in The City, described as the city's number one lap dancing bar for stag nights.

A source told the Sunday People her favourite song to perform to was Private Dancer by Tina Turner, adding: "When that came on, she would work the pole and entice the punters to get a dance from her for £5 or £10.

"For richer clients, she would offer then private dances at £50 a time.

"It was a means to an end but Jess made the most of it. She's drop-dead gorgeous and was a real hit with the punters."

BBC

This year's hopefuls aiming to impress Lord Sugar as they go hear to head on the Apprentice

Jessica told the MailOnline: "I briefly worked in a strip club a long time ago for a couple of months ant this is very much a part of my past."

The entrepreneur from Derbyshire has three daughters and runs two separate businesses.

Speaking to the cameras ahead of this year’s series, Jessica says “I’ve got loads of energy, a bit too much.

“I talk a lot, I’m very much a dreamer but in a good sense, I believe you’ve got to have high visions to hit high.”

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Her roster of reality TV star pals – which includes Vicky Pattison and Love Island’s Katie Salmon – may not go down too well with Lord Sugar who has made no secret of his dislike of fame hungry wannabes in the past.

Speaking to The Sun Online at the launch of the 12th series today Lord Sugar blasted those who over use social media – saying it won’t get them far.

“A lot of the candidates publicise themselves on social media that’s why so many flock to the auditions cause they want to be like them,” he said.

“It’s only the ones that take it seriously that go all the way.”

Instagram

Jessica Cunningham is mates with Vicky Pattison

The Apprentice returns to our screens Thursdays at 9pm, the winning entrepreneur will receive a £250,000 investment from Lord Sugar to help grow their business.

There are 18 candidates taking part in this series, nine men and nine women are competing for Baroness Karren Brady and Claude Littner’s approval, in the battle to become Lord Sugar’s next apprentice.